Self-Deploying Tensegrity Structures with Inflatable Struts

This paper presents research on a hybrid structure system that extends the principles of active-deployed tensegrity structures through a series of prototypes that use inflatable compression struts. These structures combine the advantages of tensegrity and pneumatic structures, resulting in minimum weight with a maximal global volume change. Previous deployable tensegrity structures have been developed that demonstrate self-deploying behavior, but only at small scale. Prototypes that use commonly known three and four-strut geometries were built that use low-pressure inflatable struts, developed to maintain their internal air pressure, resist strut deformation that can occur during deployment, and resist buckling that results from loading the structure. The prototypes presented here precede a large-scale pavilion to be exhibited at the 2019 Form and Force Expo in Barcelona. This paper presents several development prototypes, design and analytical strategies for the inflatable compression struts, load-testing results, as well as drawings of the proposed exhibition structure.